Google Unveils App for iPhone

Search giant promises more mobile tools ahead of releasing its own platform.

Google is releasing a new application for Apple Inc's iPhone that combines the Web leader's services such as e-mail, search and calendar into a single interface.

Google, which aims to replicate its success in desktop computer Web use on mobile phones, said on Wednesday the new application would make it easier to find, use and switch between its services on the iPhone.

The company is also working to develop new mobile technologies that are faster, easier to use, and available on more devices but Google did not give details.

Other efforts to expand in wireless include the announcement last week that Google would bid in an upcoming U.S. wireless airwaves auction to launch a wireless network, pitting it against established providers Verizon Wireless and AT&T Inc. AT&T is the exclusive U.S. carrier for iPhone.

In a separate project, Google is also developing an operating system for mobile phones known as Android and based on open source Linux technology. It has about 30 partners including carriers and phone makers supporting the project.

The iPhone, with its touch-screen and full Web browser, became the most talked about cell phone this year when it went on sale in the United States in late June. It has since launched in countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom.

Google Maps and YouTube were among the first applications available on iPhone. Apple said last month that it would allow outside developers to create software for iPhone and that it planned to make a developers kit available in February.